Covid hotspots have sprung up across Birmingham and the surrounding area as the Omicron variant continues to sweep across the country.
Boris Johnson is reportedly to be “considering a pre-Christmas lockdown” as Covid cases continue to rise in London and other parts of the country.
The Prime Minister last week warned that an “Omicron wave” was coming to the UK, while Prof Chris Whitty added: “This is a very serious threat.”
READ MORE: Boris Johnson ‘considering Christmas lockdown’ after dire warning from health bosses
However, several communities in the West Midlands are already struggling to control their infection rates, with a handful in the dark red ‘super high’ category on Public Health England’s Covid map.
This means their Covid rates were higher than 800 per 100,000 population in the seven days leading up to December 10th.
Public Health England’s Covid map
These Covid hotspots include:
Little Sutton & Roughley, 1,305.5 per 100,000 population
hill hook, 986.1
Reddicap Heath, 982.9
Walley, 959.6
Four Oaks, 959.1
Birkenhain, 921.7
Lyppard Grange, Worcester, 909.2
Whittington, Hopwas & Clifton Campville, Staffordshire, 897.3
Hagley, 881.2
Hayley Green, 855.3
Pendeford, Wolverhampton, 852.0
Northwick, Worcester, 848.2
Sutton Coldfield North & Park, 845.9
Foley Park, Kidderminster, 822.0
Crabbs Cross, Redditch, 816.1
St Peters, Worcester, 809.8
Marlbrook & Lickey End, 808.0
King George’s Field, Worcester, 807.3
The worrying numbers come as Boris Johnson is reportedly drafting plans to reintroduce lockdown restrictions immediately after Christmas.
However, the Telegraph has now revealed that Mr Johnson is considering calls for a third national lockdown – and this could start before Christmas Day.
The call for stricter rules also comes after advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), with the organization urging the Prime Minister to consider introducing an immediate ban on indoor mixing to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed will.
The Times has reported that alongside a ban on indoor mixing, the Rule of Six would return, pubs and restaurants would be forced to serve customers outdoors and restrictions on the number of guests at weddings and funerals would be reinstated.
A total of 82,886 people across the country tested positive for the virus yesterday (Sunday, December 19) while 45 deaths were reported.